Anti-protozoan activities of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark extract on trichomonads and malaria

Abstract

Aim of the study: The ethanolic stem bark extract of Harungana madagascariensis (Hypericaceae), (Choisy) Poir were evaluated for their activities on Trichomonas gallinae (Rivolta) Stabler isolated from the pigeon (Columba livia). It was also tested for their antimalarial activity on N67 Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis (in vivo) in mice and on Plasmodium falciparum isolates in vitro. Materials and methods: The anti-trichomonal screening was performed in vitro usingTrichomonas gallinae culture. The minimum lethal concentration (MLC) is the lowest concentration of the test extract in which no motile organisms were observed. The antimalarial effects were determined in-vivo for suppressive, curative and prophylactic activities in mice receiving a standard inoculum size of 1×10 7 (0.2 ml) infected erythrocytes of Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis intraperitoneally, and the in vitro was performed against 3 isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in a candle jar procedures. Results: The IC 50 of the extract and metronidazole (MDZ) (Flagyl) on Trichomonas gallinae at 48 h are 187 and 1.56 µg/ml. The IC 50 of the extract, chloroquine (CQ) and artemether (ART) on Plasmodium falciparum are between 0.052 and 0.517µg/ml for the extract and 0.021 and 0.0412 µg/ml for ART and CQ, respectively. The actions of the extract in in vivo study on Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis showed that in both suppressive and prophylactic tests the percentages chemo-suppressive were between 28.6-44.8% and 30.2-78.2% respectively, while only 80 mg/kg of the extract reduced the parasitaemia level when compared to the control and the standard drugs in curative test. Conclusions: Harungana madagascariensis stem bark extract therefore exhibited significant anti-protozoan effects against Trichomonas and Plasmodium both in vivo and in vitro.

Elemental compositions and anti-anemic property of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark

“…There was a continuous reduction in the value of PCV, RBCs and hemoglobin contents in the control group between D0 and D6, however in all the treated groups between D3 and D6 of infection, there was increase in the value of PCV, RBCs and hemoglobin. This is an indication that the elemental constituents in the extract has the ability to effectively inhibit the growth of the parasite in the RBC as previously reported in our earlier study (Iwalewa et al, 2008a) and couple with the fact that the extract contains Fe, the PCV, RBCs and hemoglobin contents could have increased.…”

“…They also play a predominant role in oxygen and electron transport. The large amounts of Fe and Ca in H. madagascariensis stem bark shows that it could be specifically useful in the treatment of diseases and disorders like: malaria, anemia in pregnant mothers at a very low dose, as its main medicinal activities are as an anti-infective (against malaria, trichomonads, bacterial, fungi) (Okoli et al, 2002;Iwalewa et al, 2008a), anti-anemia, (Erah et al, 2003), bleeding and amenorrhea (Duke and Ayensu, 2002). For example, the red juice from the plant leaves and stem bark are reputed for arresting post-partum or post-abortal bleedings in Sierra Leone, while the unopened buds are equally reputed for treating puerperal infection in Liberia (Olagunju et al, 2000).…”

Potential antimalarials from Nigerian plants: A review

“…N.S., not specified. of them are: Psidium guajava (Nundkumar and Ojewole, 2002), Alchornea cordifolia (Banzouzi et al, 2002), Aspilia africana (Waako et al, 2007), Cymbopogon citratus (Bidla et al, 2004), Fagara zanthoxyloides (Kassim et al, 2005), Sida acuta (Karou et al, 2003), Khaya senegalensis (El Tahir et al, 1999), Lippia multiflora (Valentin et al, 1995), Prosopis africana, Ficus platyphylla, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Ficus thonningii, Cissus populnea, and Terminalia avicennoides (Shuaibu et al, 2008), Mitragyna inermis (Fiot et al, 2005), Harungana madagascariensis (Iwalewa et al, 2008), Vernonia cinerea (Chea et al, 2006) and Nauclea latifolia (Benoit-Vical et al, 1998). Nauclea latifolia inhibits Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic cycle mainly at the end of schizogony (32nd to 48th hour) (Benoit-Vical et al, 1998).…”

A review of antimalarial plants used in traditional medicine in communities in Portuguese-Speaking countries: Brazil, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and Angola

“…The stem bark is also employed for nephrosis, malaria, gastrointestinal disorders and fever (Iwalewa et al 2008). The stem bark ethanol extract showed significant antimalarial activity (0.517 μg/mL, CQ reference drug), thus indicating their positive role and justifying the use of this species in traditional medicine (Iwalewa et al 2008).…”